5.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Jewel thieves attempt to recover treasure from piranha infested waters. Mistrust and betrayals happen amongst the gang in the quest for gold.
Starring: Lee Majors, Karen Black (I), Margaux Hemingway, Marisa Berenson, James FranciscusHorror | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
None
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The title “Killer Fish” is a blunt instrument, but it doesn’t precisely describe the 1979 feature. Instead of being a movie solely dedicated to an underwater massacre, “Killer Fish” is actually more of a disaster extravaganza mixed with a heist film, with piranha activity worked into the effort at a few choice moments. Instead of conjuring a frenzy, director Antonio Margheriti keeps the picture low to the ground, working a routine of double-crosses and explosions instead of celebrating the unique threat the titular menace provides.
The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is nicely refreshed for its HD debut, with bold colors that bring out the best in costuming and locations, while green jewels offer their intended pop. Skintones also look healthy and true. Detail is satisfactory, and while some degree of age and softness is present, facial textures are comfortable and miniature work is explored more closely. Black levels are adequate, showing some solidification in the opening of the picture. Damage is detected with scratches, debris, and rough edits. Around 76:00, flashes of blue burn marks appear for a few moments.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers a very limited scope, leading with a flat, blunt presence that takes some work to balance out at home. Hiss and pops are present, along with some damage spots. Dialogue is thick, often slapped over the larger action set-pieces, making intelligibility challenging. Explosions are surprisingly thin, with no real difference from the rest of the mix, missing any sort of punch. Scoring and soundtrack efforts are functional but never extraordinary.
Explosions and the wrath of Mother Nature eventually take over "Killer Fish," watching the cast react to cruddy special effects. The fish finally factor into the picture during the final act, but the results are underwhelming. In fact, "Killer Fish" is best as a heist movie with paranoid participants, allowing the cast to work on the characters and the production to concentrate on the basics of suspense. Efforts to construct a "Jaws" rip-off only slacken the endeavor, pulling attention away from a decent depiction of backstabbing intentions and South American disorientation.
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